First reading: Acts 2:42–47

They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their property and possessions and divide them among all according to each one’s need. Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple area and to breaking bread in their homes. They ate their meals with exultation and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Second reading: 1 Pe. 1:3–9

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith, to a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the final time. In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Although you have not seen him you love him; even though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, as you attain the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Gospel: Jn. 20:19–31

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”

Thomas, called Didymus, one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nail marks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

Now a week later his disciples were again inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Now, Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples that are not written in this book. But these are written that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name.

In other words

Fr. Marion Bobier Vargas, SVD (Madrid, Spain)

I often meet people living behind their own versions of locked doors. Some are like the disciples in the Gospel, afraid and uncertain, waiting for something to break through their fear. Others, like Thomas, hesitate, wanting proof before fully embracing faith. Jesus’ words to Thomas—“Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed”— remind us that faith is not about having all the answers but about trusting in His presence even when it’s hard to see.

I see these locked doors in different forms in Europe, particularly in Spain. Many people, especially the youth, are caught in a world of distraction, looking for meaning in fleeting pleasures rather than in Christ’s eternal promise. Secularism often leaves a spiritual emptiness where faith feels outdated or irrelevant. Meanwhile, in the Philippines, the locked doors take on more complex forms. The unceasing growth of economic poverty traps families in cycles of struggle, and political affiliations often keep leaders locked in their selfish and greedy interests. These locked doors reflect systems that prioritize personal gain over the common good, leaving many yearning for justice and renewal. Yet, in both Spain and the Philippines, Jesus’ words echo: “Peace be with you.” His peace enters through fear, doubt, and division, offering hope and transformation.

Thomas’ encounter with Jesus is striking. When he touched the open wounds, he didn’t just find proof but a deeper understanding of Jesus as the Risen Lord. In Spain, the wounds are often spiritual—loneliness, disconnection, and a loss of shared faith. In the Philippines, they are visible—poverty, natural disasters, and inequality. Yet, Christ’s wounds remind us that pain can be transformed into redemption and that healing and hope are always possible in His presence.

I cannot help but think of the people in Acts, laying their sick on cots and mats, desperate for healing, trusting even in the passing shadow of Peter. This scene feels so alive to me today. In Spain, I see these cots and mats in the hearts of those yearning for emotional and spiritual healing—people searching for purpose, for peace, for something that can fill the emptiness they carry. In the Philippines, I see these cots and mats in overcrowded hospital rooms, in the aftermath of typhoons, where families cling to their faith as their only source of strength in unimaginable struggles. In both places, I am reminded of Christ’s presence in those moments of vulnerability. His healing power is still at work, offering not just relief but a renewal of life. Through the hands of His Church, through the faith of His people, Jesus whispers His eternal message: “Peace be with you.”

When Jesus said, “Peace be with you,” He didn’t stop there. He breathed on the disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” This breath is the breath of life, courage, and mission. It empowers us to go beyond our fears and doubts, unlock the doors of our hearts, and become witnesses of His peace and presence in the world. Whether in Spain, the Philippines, or anywhere else, this Spirit transforms fear into faith, calling us to believe and share His life-giving message with others. Blessed are we who receive and believe!